Dark Sky Rules: Hesperia vs Ontario
How do dark sky rules rules compare between Hesperia, CA and Ontario, CA?
Ontario has fewer restrictions than Hesperia.
Hesperia, CA
San Bernardino County
Development Code Section 83.07.040 and the 2022 Light Trespass Ordinance impose dark-sky standards in the Mountain and Desert Regions: fully shielded fixtures, a 0.1 foot-candle light-trespass limit, 3,000 Kelvin maximum color temperature, residential poles capped at 12 feet, and lights extinguished when no people are present (and by 11 p.m.).
View full Hesperia rules →Ontario, CA
San Bernardino County
Ontario regulates outdoor lighting under OMC Chapter 9, requiring shielded fixtures and color temperature limits to reduce glare toward homes and aircraft paths at ONT International Airport.
View full Ontario rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Hesperia | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Light-trespass limit | 0.1 foot-candle (Mountain & Desert) | - |
| Color temperature | 3,000 Kelvin maximum (except seasonal) | - |
| Residential pole height | 12 feet maximum | - |
| Shutoff | When no one is present; by 11 p.m. | - |
| Recreation curfew | Private off 11 p.m.-sunrise; public off by 11 p.m. | - |
| Effective date | January 6, 2022 (Light Trespass Ordinance) | - |
| Fixture type | - | Full-cutoff shielded |
| CCT limit | - | 3000K |
| Curfew dim | - | 50% after 11 PM (industrial) |
| Airport | - | ALUCP lighting restrictions |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Hesperia FAQ
What outdoor lighting is allowed in the mountain and desert areas of San Bernardino County?
Fixtures must be fully shielded, stay at or below 0.1 foot-candle of light trespass, and use 3,000 Kelvin or lower color temperature. Residential poles are capped at 12 feet, and lights must be off when no one is present, per Section 83.07.040 and the 2022 Light Trespass Ordinance.
When must outdoor recreation lights be turned off?
Section 83.07.040(c) prohibits illuminating private recreation facilities between 11:00 p.m. and sunrise, and public facilities only while in use, with lights off no later than 11:00 p.m. or one hour after the event ends, whichever is later.
Ontario FAQ
Can I install a bright driveway floodlight?
Yes, if the fixture is shielded and light does not trespass past your property line onto a neighbor.
Does Ontario have a true dark-sky ordinance?
Ontario does not have an IDA-level dark-sky law, but airport overlay zones and zoning shielding rules provide similar outcomes.
Compare other topics
See how Hesperia and Ontario compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool